joins other western countries, germany, italy, canada, denmark, finland, norway, sweden, serbia, switzerland, israel, even new zealand, already allow women in combat roles and frontline positions. out of the more than 6,400 total americans killed in iraq and afghanistan, at least 130 american women have been killed in the line of fire. and the number of american women wounded is over 800. soon, women will be able to fight back on the front lines and in elite special forces, but women will have to meet the same strength standards as men if they choose a combat role. senator john mccain, vietnam war hero, and tortured as a prisoner of war, favors the women in combat role. but adds this. "it is critical that we maintain the same high standards that have made the american military the most feared and admired fighting force in the world. particularly the rigorous physical standards for our elite special forces units." allowing women in combat roles will open up more than 200,000 jobs to women, mostly in the army and marine corps. the plan is to be drawn up by may and implemented over three years.